You wake up one morning, and just as you’re brushing your teeth, a horrible thought crosses your mind: you’re going to die from an obesity-related illness such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The thought makes you break out in a cold sweat, leaving you disoriented and slightly frightened. You might even vomit a little bit. That same feeling, of course, is what psychologists refer to as an “avoidant personality disorder.” You fear you’ll make a bad decision, so you stay numb, avoiding any potentially painful choices. Now, imagine that this is something that routinely happens to you. Imagine, too, that this is the kind of thinking that keeps you from losing weight. Clearly, something has to change. You need to find a way to stay motivated to lose weight, even when you feel low in the dumps. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can try.
Find A Supportive Environment
The first thing you need to do to stay motivated to lose weight is to create a supportive environment. Find a friend, family member, or professional to share your struggles and victories with. When you struggle with something as challenging as losing weight, it’s normal for your support network to feel a little shaky. Just be there for them. Let them know they’re not alone and that you’re working hard to get back on track. Remember: you’re strong, they’re strong, and together, you’ll get through this.
Change The Way You Look At Things
When you’re depressed, it’s easy to get stuck in a negative spiral. You may start to see yourself as unworthy, a poor decision-maker, or an idiot for getting into this situation. Now, if you start to think this way, you’re going to lose motivation faster than you can say “I’m an idiot!” You need to try hard not to let this kind of thinking creep into your head. Every time it does, just stop it and replace it with a more positive thought. You can use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to change the way you look at things. For example, you may decide that you’re a “good” kind of idiot, which actually boosts your self-esteem and inspires you to take better care of yourself. When you change the way you look at things, you change the way you feel. So, if you want to stay motivated, take some time to develop your thinking skills. Master the art of thinking positively.
Change Your Routine
If you’re regularly getting stuck in a rut, changing your routine can help you stay motivated to lose weight. Instead of going to the same old gym, consider going to a new one. Change your diet to something new and different, and get out of your comfort zone. If you keep doing the same things over and over again, but not seeing the desired results, it’s time to change something. Make a list of all your bad habits, and then work on replacing them with healthy routines. For example, if you’re a person who stays up late watching TV, make the conscious decision to go to bed earlier. This helps you get more sleep, and you know what, in time you may even enjoy a good night’s sleep. So, by reducing your exposure to TV, you’ll reduce the urge to snack during commercials. Change is hard, but you’re stronger than you think. You can do this.
Cut Back On The Alcohol
Alcohol has a lot of calories, and it can cause you to gain weight, especially if you drink daily. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking alcohol can cause you to gain up to a pound a week. That’s a lot of weight to lose in a week! If you’re worried about your weight, consider cutting back on the alcohol. While alcohol can enhance your social life, it’s also responsible for a lot of the illnesses that come with obesity. If you want to stay motivated to lose weight, reduce your alcohol intake.
Find A New Interest
If you’re really struggling to stay motivated, consider getting a new interest. You can join a gym, take up horseback riding, or become a member of a book club. There are many ways to stay motivated, and it can help to switch gears a little bit. If you have a genuine interest in something, you’ll find it much easier to continue with your goals. It’ll also give you something new to focus on. If you want to stay motivated to lose weight, develop an interest in something you’re passionate about. If nothing else works, you can always fall back on dieting.
Make Less-Stressful Choices
One way to stay motivated is to make less-stressful choices. If you’re constantly choosing foods that cause you stress, it’s time to change something. Find healthier alternatives that you can feel confident will satisfy your needs. If you’re stressed about meeting your weight-loss goals, consider seeking professional help. There are many good therapists out there who can help you work through this. Try to avoid self-destructive behavior, especially if it keeps you from being able to meet your goals. Self-care is a big part of maintaining a healthy weight. You need to take care of yourself and make sure you’re not hurting yourself. While there’s no quick fix to losing weight, there are ways to make the process easier. Try to keep stress as low as possible. Make healthier choices, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Make sure you keep your eyes on the prize. You’re not going to lose all the weight overnight, and it’s not always going to be easy. However, if you stick with it, you’ll get there in the end. Think of all the happy hours you’ll have with your family and friends once you finally reach your goal. What’s the point of running all the risks if it’s not going to make you happy? You can find a way; you’re just too wonderful to let this happen. You’ll get there. Just keep your head up and your eyes open, and you can’t go wrong. You’ll be okay. You’re worth it.